As Women's History Month Unfolds, Four 'Unsung Heroines' Receive National Recognition

Women Honored by Congressional Leaders, Mitsubishi Motors U.S.A. Foundation, and PBS TV's 'To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe'

One Leader Finds Safe, Loving Homes for Children of Incarcerated Mothers; Two Others Provide Quality Health Care for Those in Need; Another Drives Better Community Services

Principals Available For Interviews; Supporting Materials Available Photos Available after 4:30 p.m. ET on: http://www.online-lightbox.com/mitsubishi

WASHINGTON, March 5 -- Four remarkable women from across the nation were recognized today for their tireless dedication to the service of others at the sixth annual "Unsung Heroines Award" ceremony, sponsored by the Mitsubishi Motors U.S.A. Foundation and PBS TV's "To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe."

The award recipients have made significant contributions to their communities in the areas of providing quality health care services for those in need; finding homes for children of incarcerated mothers; or ensuring that underprivileged families have a basic infrastructure of support.

Each of the four women was nominated for the award by Members of Congress from their home states. Additionally, each was profiled by "To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe," and each received a $5,000 grant from the Mitsubishi Motors U.S.A. Foundation, in acknowledgement of their leadership and in support of their organizations' continued successes.

Pierre Gagnon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors North America, said: "Mitsubishi Motors is proud to recognize the power of single individuals as catalysts in improving the lives of so many people. These award recipients represent the power of using leadership to transform communities at the most basic level and instill hope in others -- they are truly Unsung Heroines. While their work may have gone unrecognized in the past, with the assistance of their distinguished nominators, we are proud to focus attention on them and hope that they will be inspirations to others. On behalf of Mitsubishi Motors, I am pleased to honor this year's Unsung Heroines for their tireless devotion to those who otherwise might be forgotten."

The recipients were honored at a luncheon held at B. Smith's Restaurant, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Bonnie Erbe, host of the PBS public affairs show, "To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe," performed as master of ceremonies. The 2003 Unsung Heroines were presented with the award after remarks by their Congressional nominators. They include:

Marcia Nowc, Washington, Michigan: Nominated by Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-MI) for Ms. Nowc's dedication as a nurse and volunteer with Samaritan House, a community organization located in Macomb Township, Michigan, which provides access to basic services for nearly 900 of the community's underserved families. In 2002, the organization gave food assistance to 654 of those families, helped 83 families stay in their homes, and preserved utility services for 74 families. Another 58 families were assisted with car repairs and other needs. Ms. Nowc also dedicates her time to the Neighbors Caring for Neighbors Outreach Clinic, which is supported through nearby St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital. The clinic took in more than 790 local families last year. Finally, Ms. Nowc volunteers in the hospital's parish nursing program, through which she administers health-care services that are most needed by the congregation, including everything from blood-pressure checks to seminars on heart health.

Cathy Bailey, Louisville, Kentucky: Nominated by Senator Mitch McConnell, Jr. (R-KY) and U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao for Ms. Bailey's dedication to providing care for the children of incarcerated mothers through Operation Open Arms. Troubling statistics underscore the critical need for Ms. Bailey's work. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the female prison population has doubled since 1990. An estimated 70 percent of women in local jails, 65 percent in state prisons, and 59 percent of women in federal prisons have children. The result: more than one-quarter million children have mothers serving in jail or prison. In 2001, Ms. Bailey founded Operation Open Arms to address this concern at the local level; the organization enjoys strong support from the community, and Ms. Bailey is presently working to expand the successful program to other areas.

Dr. America Bracho, M.D., Santa Ana, California: Nominated by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) for Dr. Bracho's work as the founder of Latino Health Access (LHA) in Santa Ana, a non-profit organization founded in 1983 that works to assist medically under-served communities. A sense of urgency inspires Dr. Bracho's work: one in five people in California do not have access to safe health care; thirty-eight percent of Latinos are medically uninsured; and one in four Latinos over the age of 45 has diabetes. In 2002 alone, LHA served more than 4,700 individuals. Before moving to the area and founding LHA, Dr. Bracho developed programs for HIV prevention in Detroit. A recognized expert in health education and minority women's issues, Dr. Bracho serves as a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization and travels around the country as a trainer and presenter on health care issues.

Gladys Sandlin, San Francisco, California: Nominated by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for Ms. Sandlin's work as an advocate for the health care rights of Latinos through the Mission Neighborhood Health Center where she has served as the Executive Director for the past 20 years. Ms. Sandlin ensures that the particular health and socioeconomic issues affecting the Spanish-speaking population are understood and that resources are channeled to the Latino community. The Mission Neighborhood Health Center was founded in 1970; thanks in large part to Ms. Sandlin's work, more than 10,000 clients have access to much-needed health care services each year. The Center administers primary care services, pregnancy tests, pediatric and adolescent care, adult and senior medicine, nutritional guidance, pharmaceutical aid, and other services.

This year marks the sixth anniversary of the "Unsung Heroines Awards," which were established by Mitsubishi Motors and "To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe" to recognize and honor women who work behind the scenes in their communities to make a difference. Since 1998, twenty-six women in 16 states have been recognized for their achievements and ability to touch many lives, often with limited resources.

"To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe," the award-winning, all-female public affairs show, brings attention to and discussion around events, legislation, and social issues affecting women in America. It airs weekly on more than 238 PBS stations nationwide. For more information about "To The Contrary With Bonnie Erbe," visit its website at http://www.pbs.org/ttc.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all of the North American operations of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. As a single company consolidated on Jan. 1, 2003, MMNA and its subsidiaries manufacture, distribute, finance and market Mitsubishi brand coupes, convertibles, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network of nearly 700 dealers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Mitsubishi Motors sold its first vehicle in the U.S. in 1981, and began building cars here in 1988 at its manufacturing facility in Normal, IL. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672.

Representatives from the media in need of additional information are invited to contact Dan Hubbard by phone at 202.828.8877, or by e-mail at hubbardd@fleishman.com. The Mitsubishi News Bureau at Fleishman-Hillard is also available at 888.560.MMSA (6672), or by e-mail at mitsubishicars@fleishman.com.